Lavender is probably the most popular essential oil, so I’m starting with this one. If you don’t own it yet, it’s time! It comes in the Young Living starter kit, which you can order here if you are interested. Lavender is a relaxing and calming essential oil and once you start using it you will understand why! It is a versatile essential oil that has many uses in natural remedies. For this reason, people refer to it as the “Swiss Army Knife” of oils. It is a mild essential oil so use it “neat” or directly on your skin. I use it for some of these remedies:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Allergies
- Soothes minor irritations (cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns)
Use for anxiety
Lavender is most known for it’s calming and relaxing properties so this is the essential oil I chose for my laundry detergent. Our skin is our largest organ and anything that we put on it, ultimately ends up in it. For this reason, having a mild, calming essential oil on my skin is also working for me throughout the day. It is also a fresh, clean, pleasant scent. Do you make your own laundry detergent? Click here to find my laundry detergent recipe.
Lavender is also great to mix up a few drops with some epsom salt and put in a hot bath. Nothing like a calm, relaxing scent and spa-like experience to unwind from a hard day. It’s the hedgehog in the picture cute! He’s from Anthropologie, you can find him here. He’s holding some epsom salt ready to mix with oils. Any oil works great with epsom salt, depending on the remedy you are looking for.
Use for insomnia
Use lavender as a natural sleep remedy! I love lavender SO much for this use. My sleep spray is amazing! Just mix 4 drops of lavender and roman chamomile (secret ingredient! I’ll talk more about this one soon) with 1 part distilled water and 1 part witch hazel and sleep like a dream! When you first start using this you need to give it time, it took me about a month before I realized it works wonders. It provides the most restful and refreshing sleep. I always have to be careful not to use too much or I wake up a little tired. Just start slow at first until you find the perfect combination that works for you. Click here to find my sleep spray recipe.
Use for allergies
Lavender is great for allergies! I mix up a 10ml roller with lavender, peppermint, lemon (about 10 drops of each), and fill remaining with olive oil; that I use during transition seasons. Usually the spring and fall is when I use it most.
Use for minor irritations
Lavender works great as a natural replacement for Neosporin. Cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises …just put a few drops directly on the affected area a few times a day until it heals up.
I hope these uses help show natural alternatives to everyday products. I always try to use natural remedies first before I have to turn to any type of medicine. Just like anything, what works for some, might not for others. ALSO, I am not a doctor! (See disclosure) I’m just sharing things I use that work for me. Be sure to give essential oils a fair try before eliminating them. Sometimes, it takes time for our bodies to adjust to something different than what we normally use. Click here, for more information on ordering essential oils.
